The Land Rover LR2 will step in early next year for the late, unlamented Freelander. The LR2 is powered by Volvo's new 3.2-liter in-line six, which will make 230 hp and 234 lb-ft of torque. The transversely mounted engine is hitched to a six-speed manu-matic. Four-wheel drive and LR3-style Terrain Response system are standard. Inside, the five-seat SUV comes with keyless ignition, an oversize sunroof, and power seats. Options include navigation, swiveling headlights, and Bluetooth. Safety is enhanced by standard stability control with rollover mitigation and front, side, and side curtain air bags, plus a driver's knee air bag. We're eager to see if the LR2 betters its predecessor as much as the LR3 did the Discovery. The LR2 will have to if it hopes to take on the BMW X3, the Acura RDX, and a host of new premium small SUVs coming out in the next few years.

Porsche has released the first official pictures of its upcoming Panamera four-door GT, ahead of its debut next spring (likely at the Geneva motor show). Mechanical details are scant, but the company did reveal a few basics.

When the BMW X3 debuted back in early 2004, it seemed to be an anachronism: an upscale, premium-branded, premium-priced, small sport-utility. After all, the Land Rover Freelander had landed like a thud in our market and was on its way to hiatus status. It turns out that BMW was ahead of the curve, though, because for 2007 the X3 has plenty of competition, including the Freelander's successor, the LR2, plus the all-new Acura RDX. Time for a mid-cycle face-lift, then, for BMW's small SAV, or sports activity vehicle. The freshened 2007 model made its public debut at the Paris salon.

Thursday, 30 January 2014

Maserati has reason to celebrate, since the automaker just wrapped up a victorious 2005 FIA GT Manufacturers Cup season. The trident brand's victory cigar? This beautiful, blue, limited edition GranSport. A total of 180 MC Victory coupes will be made this year, featuring carbon front and rear spoilers, unique carbon-colored wheels, and Italian flags behind the front wheel, just like the winning MC12 race car. While the car doesn't officially go on sale until May, we're pretty sure the order list will be filled soon after the car's Geneva debut.

Tom Cary says in his column in the Daily Telegraph that the man dubbed ‘Baby Schumi’ has plenty of time to match or even surpass his compatriot’s record haul of seven world titles after he cinched his first in the Abu Dhabi night.

“Here, after all, is a young man, already dubbed ‘Baby Schumi’ by Germany’s tabloid press, winning the first of what will presumably be multiple world championships, and all at the tender age of 23. Plenty of time yet to match Schumacher's incredible haul of seven world titles. And yet, their phenomenal ability to drive racing cars apart, there is little similarity between the two men. “There are still lingering doubts over his racing ability but with such blistering qualifying pace he is nearly always leading from the front anyway. Vettel is set for multiple world championships. Just don’t call him Baby Schumi.”

The Guardian’s Paul Weaver says it was difficult to begrudge Vettel his moment of glory after he won the first of what will be many world titles. He also looks back at some of the season’s highlights.

“An amazing Formula One season produced its final twist here on Sunday when Sebastian Vettel, who had never led the title race, won his first world championship. It is difficult to begrudge him his glory, for he had more poles (10) than any other driver and shared the most wins (five) with Fernando Alonso. There will be red faces as well as red cars and overalls at Ferrari, though, for deciding to bring their man in when they did, only to see him re-emerge into heavy traffic. “Among the highlights, and every race felt like a highlight after the bore-start in Bahrain, there was that wonderful beginning to his McLaren career by Jenson Button, who won two of his first four races, even though he couldn't keep up the pace, especially in qualifying. “Hamilton once again drove his heart out, and outperformed a car that looked a little too ordinary at times. He was superb in Montreal. Then there was Webber, the Anglophile Aussie who was the favourite among most neutrals to win the title. There was that spectacular crash when he ran into the back of Heikki Kovalainen and the most famous of his four wins, at Silverstone, when he said to his team at the end of the race: 'Not bad for a No2 driver.' “But in the end there was only one German who mattered. It was the remarkable Vettel. This will be the first of a clutch of championships for him.”

The Independent’s David Tremayne focuses on the plight of the other title contenders, writing it is easier to feel more sorry for one than the other.

“It was impossible not to feel for both Webber and Alonso. Yet while a frustrated Alonso gestured at Petrov after the race, the Australian, predictably, refused to complain about his pitstop timing. “A world championship seemed an inevitable part of Sebastian Vettel's future, but it came a little sooner than most expected, after his recent tribulations. You wouldn't bet against several more, and if that record-breaking streak continues, perhaps even Schumacher's achievements will be overshadowed.”

And the Mirror’s Byron Young elaborates further on the petulant behaviour of Fernando Alonso on his slowing down lap after his title dreams ended behind the Renault of Vitaly Petrov.

“Fernando Alonso was hurled into more controversy last night for a wild gesture at the former Lada racer who cost him the title. But the Spaniard brushed off accusations he gave Russian Vitaly Petrov the finger for ruining his title hopes by blocking him for 40 laps as they duelled over sixth place. "The Ferrari ace was caught on television cruising alongside the Renault driver on the slowing down lap and gesticulating from the cockpit. Petrov was unrepentant: "What was I supposed to do? Just get out of his way, pull to the side? I don't think that is how we race. It was important for the team for me to get points."

Ann Arbor - Subaru is finally offering an STI without the cop-magnet, boy-racer livery. The wing, the gold wheels, and the matching brake calipers are gone, as is the rally blue paint, which is replaced by a more sedate white or gray. A power moonroof, new leather seats, and additional undercarpet soundproofing--all at no charge--make the STI Limited's cabin a bit more hospitable, but you're reminded of the WRX's econocar roots when road noise infiltrates.

As concept cars go, the Dodge Avenger may not be the most exciting thing on four wheels, but it at least looks promising. And although Chrysler's famously ordinary mid-size Sebring sedan fails to make us wet ourselves with glee, the Avenger concept--which was reportedly been built on the 2007 Sebring's platform--at least exudes some excitement. Dodge claims that the Avenger "hints at the next-generation global D-segment vehicle from Dodge," but we're fairly sure it does more than "hint." Power comes from a turbocharged 2.0-liter diesel four; that engine will likely be offered outside North America shortly after the production car's launch.

A Face-Lift To Make Joan Rivers Proud.Ann Arbor Youth triumphs in all things automotive, just as it does in the wider world. So, after a new model debuts, we've come to expect a freshening in year three, a special edition in year four, and an all-new model after five years.

How do you deal with an iconic but aging design? With plenty of care and caution. Such is the case with the Audi TT, which has existed basically unchanged since its debut in 1998. The new car, introduced on a live internet video feed on April 6, looks very similar to the outgoing model. It maintains the circle and dome motifs that made the little coupe famous, but proportion changes make the car look lower, sleeker, and more aggressive. The same is true of the interior, which, while completely redesigned, looks like a smoothed over version of the last edition.

Tuesday, 28 January 2014

The new Peugeot Django Sport comes with a series of unique graphics that give it a more dynamic look. It will be available on the UK market this summer and is propelled by a 125cc, four stroke engine which transfers its power to the rear wheel via an automatic transmission.

The scooter borrows many design elements from the early 1950s, but it also received a series of modern touches which combine to form a pretty attractive neo-retro style.

Featuring a two seat configuration, the Peugeot Django Sport was built with comfort in mind, so it comes with a low seat height, an ergonomically designed handle bar, a easy tp read semi-digital dashboard and wide footboards.

The standard features available for the Peugeot Django Sport include a storage compartment for jet helmet with visor, a dual compartment lockable glove-box with 12V power socket and modern LED lighting.

The new Cayman (minus the S) is not the lightest, cheapest, or cutest Porsche, but it may be the smartest one to buy. What the 245-hp, 2.7-liter flat six lacks in low-end vim it more than makes up in 7300-rpm vigor; lighter engine internals and electric throttle response hurl a heavy-footed operator to 60 mph in less than six seconds on the way to 160 mph. The stout coupe body and mid-engine layout are the ideal serving tray for the chassis engineers' most inspired work. And a base price that's barely over $50,000 means that "value" and "Porsche" can share a sentence. Upgrades--such as a six-speed manual, sport seats, eighteen- or nineteen-inch wheels, a navigation system, active dampers, and the Sport Chrono Package--are dear, so don't linger too long over the options list.

One side of the Lotus naming dispute has been put forward on a new and in-depth webpage called www.saveteamlotus.com. The basic background is that the Lotus Racing F1 team had its naming rights revoked for next season by Group Lotus and, in order to keep racing under the Lotus name, bought the Team Lotus brand off David Hunt, who had owned it since the original team’s last race in 1994. Group Lotus has now taken Lotus Racing to court to try and stop it using the historic name in Formula One next year. The issue has been a source of constant confusion for many fans and the new webpage offers a breakdown of David Hunt’s and Team Lotus’ side of the argument.

The 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited adds two doors to the iconic rock crawler which adds to its everyday usability and on-road handling characteristics. The new Wrangler, both in two and four-door form, adds a bevy of interior upgrades and top options which adds up to hundreds of ordering possibilities.

Sauber team boss Monisha Kaltenborn remains optimistic about the upcoming season, despite the obvious financial squeeze at the Swiss team. She made no reference to the difficult situation in a Q&A issued when the new car was unveiled online. “We … Continue reading →

Sunday, 26 January 2014

Marussia Virgin Racing have launched their car to take on the 2011 world championship in a lavish London ceremony. The Marussia name now preceeds Virgin following a major tie up with the Russian sportscar manufacturer and the team at the end of 2010. It has led to the new car being designated as the MVR-02. […]

With Kamui Kobayashi coming back to the grid, F1 will once again have an Asian driver in the paddock. From Abu Dhabi to Japan and Malaysia to Bahrain, the region has been swept up by the sport in recent years, with new venues and events popping up almost every season. Despite their presence in terms [...]

Maserati's L.A. and Detroit auto show stands featured, for the first time in the U.S., the new GranSport Spyder. Not surprisingly, the sporty two-seater is nothing more than a convertible version of the GranSport Coupe. The GranSport designation indicates the fitment of pronounced aerodynamic add-ons, chrome mesh front and rear grille inserts, sexy tailpipes, and multi-spoke nineteen-inch wheels. A 0.4-inch ride height reduction combines with standard Skyhook active suspension to further sharpen the handling of the Spyder. The glorious, Ferrari-sourced 400-hp V-8 is unchanged for GranSport duty, but the Cambiocorsa sequential manual--the only transmission available--has been reprogrammed for 35% faster gear changes.

Bernie Ecclestone does not think multimillionaire Nascar team owner Gene Haas can afford to enter formula one in 2015. Haas, with an estimated net worth of $740 million, announced recently that he h...

Saturday, 25 January 2014

Lewis Hamilton’s decision-making ability has come into question after he crashed into the side of Felipe Massa on lap one, causing his early retirement from the Italian Grand Prix. This incident has raised questions about his temperament and ability to bounce back. Kevin Garside of the Daily Telegraph questions how much we should really be expecting from Hamilton. “Perhaps this is how it must be with Hamilton, an instinctive racer compelled to chase the impossible through gaps that don’t exist. He took the best part of an hour to compose himself before walking out into the sun to face the cameras. This was Hamilton’s third DNF of the season but the first of his own making. Occasions like this are perhaps reminders to us not to expect too much. “On the days when Hamilton’s insane alliance of guts, skill and derring-do appear capable of delivering the world it is easy to forget he is only 25, an age when it is all too common for boys to believe themselves men.” Byron Young of the Mirror also pulls no punches about Hamilton’s performance and was heavily critical of the manoeuvre which meant he left the weekend pointless. “To say that his dive down the outside at Della Roggia chicane was optimistic would be generous. Mystifying, definitely, with so much at stake. So often Hamilton has made them stick but yesterday the outcome was all too predictable.”

Toned down from the wild Concept S show car that was seen earlier this year at Geneva, the Gallardo Spyder makes use of a powered top that stows under the engine cover and behind the passenger compartment. In case you invert the car, there is a pop-up roll bar and strengthened A-pillars. While the car was in the body shop, the Lamborghini engineers increased the 5.0-liter V-10's power from 492 to 512 hp. (All 2006 Gallardos receive the power hike.) The six-speed transmission has been recalibrated, along with the suspension and steering. Lamborghini says that the car will accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 4.3 seconds and reach a top speed of 195 mph with the roof up. Topless, the car is 4 mph slower. The Gallardo Spyder goes on sale in Europe early next year, priced at about $200,000.

ART Grand Prix has announced what it describes as a “partnership agreement with McLaren and Honda” for the upcoming GP2 Championship Series. The team will run Stoffel Vandoorne and Takuya Izawa. The former is a highly-rated member of the McLaren Young Driver Programme, who was runner-up last year in the Renault 3.5 World Series to […]

Friday, 24 January 2014

As luck would have it, McLaren is launching its new car this morning and I will be on a plane, high above the Atlantic and I don’t think the airline in question has Internet access at 30,000ft. I am sure that lots of other websites will be rushing to show you pictures of the new […]

Cadillac's current-generation STS was the first to use a rear-wheel-drive chassis, which at last put it on equal footing with big-name players such as the Mercedes-Benz E-class, the Lexus GS, and the BMW 5-series. That's very tough competition and, at the midpoint in its season, the STS is getting some fortification.

A Face-Lift To Make Joan Rivers Proud.Ann Arbor Youth triumphs in all things automotive, just as it does in the wider world. So, after a new model debuts, we've come to expect a freshening in year three, a special edition in year four, and an all-new model after five years.

Bernie Ecclestone does not think multimillionaire Nascar team owner Gene Haas can afford to enter formula one in 2015. Haas, with an estimated net worth of $740 million, announced recently that he h...